The Daily Mirror World Cup Rally was a gruelling 16,000-mile race from London to Mexico City.

Several Austin Maxis set off from Wembley Stadium in London but of 96 entrants, only 23 reached the finish. The winner was Hannu Mikkola and Gunnar Palm in a Ford Escort.

This Maxi was entered by the Royal Hussars 17th/21st Lancers and the International Wool Secretariat. The crew comprised HRH Prince Michael of Kent, Captain Gavin Thompson and Captain Nigel Clarkson. The car did not finish the rally, retiring with transmission failure in South America.

The Maxi was BL's first new design, it had a transverse engine, front wheel drive and Hydrolastic suspension. New features included a hatchback, OHC engine and five-speed gear box.